Mexico Rides Emotional Crowd Support To Historic World Cup Win Over South Africa

MEXICO CITY — FIFA president Gianni Infantino described Mexico City Stadium arsenic a venue “blessed by nan gods” and a “true cathedral of soccer.”

Azteca Stadium, arsenic astir group cognize it, is steeped successful shot history and is now nan only venue to big 3 World Cup opening ceremonies. But nan Mexican nationalist squad had ne'er overmuch World Cup occurrence astatine nan venue.

On Thursday, spurred connected by astir of nan 80,824 fans successful attendance and forwards Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez, Mexico managed to conclusion South Africa 2-0 and securing its first opening lucifer victory.

Mexico opened nan scoring successful nan ninth infinitesimal erstwhile Quiñones capitalized connected a protect correction by South Africa and fired a changeable down nan middle, betwixt nan legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. The striker, a apical scorer successful nan Saudi Pro League, instantly ran disconnected to observe pinch nan bench, marking nan first extremity of nan tournament. The crowd responded by throwing brew into nan air.

Mexico continued to property pinch galore chances successful nan first half, including different changeable by Quiñones that deed nan station and different awesome prevention by Williams, who was South Africa’s champion player.

“We were acold superior successful nan first half; we could person been up 3-0,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said.

South Africa was reduced to 10 men conscionable arsenic nan 2nd half began erstwhile Sphephelo Sithole brought down Brian Gutiérrez, who was heading toward nan extremity unmarked. Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio showed a reddish card.

“We played well; location were moments erstwhile Mexico didn’t cognize what to do and our statement was very good,” said Hugo Broos, South Africa’s coach.

It seemed nan lucifer was going to beryllium easier for nan Mexicans pinch South Africa short-handed, but fans began to boo nan Mexican players aft they stopped attacking and appeared nervous.

Seeing his players’ lackluster capacity connected nan field, Aguirre responded pinch substitutions: bringing connected 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, a instrumentality favorite, arsenic good arsenic Luis Chávez, to reshape nan midfield.

Mexico’s Raúl Jiménez cries while hugging teammate Roberto Alvarado aft scoring against South Africa successful Mexico City connected Thursday to unfastened nan World Cup.

(Natacha Pisarenko / Ap Photo/natacha Pisarenko)

“[It was] nan commencement of nan World Cup. It’s an aggravated atmosphere,” Aguirre said.

“In 25 games, we’ve ne'er had players pinch cramps — coming we had three. It was a very intense, affectional state. It shows that nan mounting weighed connected them a little. Not connected everyone.”

Shortly aft nan substitutions, Roberto Álvarado crossed nan shot from nan correct to Raúl Jiménez, who headed it past South Africa’s goalkeeper, Williams, successful nan 67th minute.

South Africa was reduced to 9 men aft Themba Zwane struck Álvarado disconnected nan ball. After consulting nan video assisted referee, nan charismatic gave Zwane a reddish card.

“I deliberation you tin judge nan first reddish card,” said Broos. “I deliberation nan 2nd 1 is debatable. It was a spot harsh connected nan referee’s part. We person 2 players who won’t beryllium capable to play successful nan adjacent match.”

After nan 2nd reddish card, Mexico took its ft disconnected nan state again and was met pinch whistles from nan crowd, who were quiet for much goals.

Mexico and South Africa faced disconnected successful beforehand of 80,824 fans astatine Mexico City Stadium, much commonly known arsenic Azteca Stadium, connected Thursday to unfastened nan World Cup.

(David Ramos / Getty Images)

Mexico’s César Montes was sent disconnected successful stoppage clip for bringing down Khuliso Mudau extracurricular nan container arsenic he was heading toward nan goal.

With nan win, Mexico leads its group pinch 3 points and waited to spot nan consequence of South Korea versus nan Czech Republic successful Guadalajara later Thursday. South Africa has zero points. Mexico’s adjacent lucifer is successful Guadalajara connected June 18 against South Korea, while South Africa faces nan Czech Republic successful Atlanta.

“We request nan adjacent 3 days to get complete nan disappointment and fatigue,” Broos said, earlier addressing his team’s specified 2 shots connected goal. “We person to activity connected our discourtesy because it wasn’t capable today.”

The lucifer marked nan debut of Mora, nan youngest subordinate successful nan World Cup.

“For his first game, he didn’t disappoint,” said Aguirre.